Winding machine



Nov. 24, 1942.

GD. REYNOLDS ETAL WINDING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 1 lui ufirsz I 6. 27. fr

13 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 24, c. D. REYNOLDS ETAL WINDING'MACHINE Filed March 26, 1941 B (in-20 244,,

v Nov. 24, 1942. c. D. REYNOLDS ETAL 2,302,715

' WINDING MACHINE I Filed March 26, 1941 1.3 Sheets-Sheet 3 C. D. REYNOLDS ET AL Nov. 24, 194-2.

WINDING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 (M ss M Nov. 24, 1942. c. D. REYNOLDS ETAL 2,302,715

WINDING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1941 13 She4=ts-Sheet 5 Nov. 24, 1942. c. D. REYNOLDS :1- AL 2,302,715 WIRIJDING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1941 13 Sheet s-Sheet 6 Nov. 24, 1942. c. p. IEYNOLDS ET AL 2,302,715

WINDING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1941 l3 Sheets-Sheet v Nov. 24, 1942. c. D. REYNOLDS ETAL ,30 ,7

WINDING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 Nov. 24, 1942.

C. D. REYNOLDS ET AL Filed March 26, 1941 WINDING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 443 6, 2%I P1t%15? 22 u a 5'.

i WMZMK 1942. l c. D. REYNOLDS ET AL 2,302,715

WINDING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 1O Nov. 24, 1942. c. D. REYNOLDS ET AL 2,302,715

' WINDING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 C. D. REYNOLDS ET AL WINDING MACHINE Filed March 2e,' 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 Nov.24,1942.

WINDING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1941 c.'o. REYNOLDS EI'AL lssh t -shet is .ber 21, 1938, now Patent No.-2,257,6 57.

particularly the present invention relates to Patented Nov. 24, 1942 WINDING MACHINE Charles D. Reynolds, Gusta'ti S. Beckman, and Herman A. Moe, Cranston, R. I., assignors to Universal Winding Company, Boston, Mass., a k corporation of Massachusetts Application March 26, 1941, Serial No. 385,346 (Cl. 242-32) 60 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in automatic winding machines of the type illustrated and described in the application for United States Letters Patent of Charles D. Reynolds et al., Serial No. 231,044, filed Septem- More winding machines for winding cops, bobbins,

pirns and other forms of textile packages; for' example, bobbins or yarn to be used as filling or weft in the shuttles of looms.

In the present specification and claims the terms bobbin" and wound yarn-carrier are employed for convenience of description to apply to any usual form of textile package and the term "yam is intended to designate all types of strand material.

A particular object of the imfentionis to provide a machine of the type indicated which is entirely automatic in operation, requiring no attention on the part of the operator during its normal operation except to replenish the supplies I of yarn and fill the magazines with empty yarncarriers or bobbins;

Another object of the invention is to provide troller or multiple switch for controlling the energization of the electromagnets in predetermined sequence 'to doff a wound bobbin, don an empty bobbin and start the winding operation.

Another object is to. provide a machine of the typev indicated in which the operation of the controller is initiated by the growth of the wind- I ing on the bobbin.

Another object is to provide a machine of thetype indicated with longitudinally spaced spindles for rotatably mounting a bobbin therebetween.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type indicated with an electromagnet for withdrawing one of the spindles to dofi a wound bobbin.

Another objectis to provide a machine of the type indicated with a screw-threaded traverse rod along which the thread-guide advances during winding and means for rotating the traverse rod to return the thread-guide to initial position.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated with an electromagnet-operated clutch for connecting a drive shaft to rotate the threaded traverse rod.

Another object is to provide means for traversing the yarn rearwardly of the completed bobbin during its rotation to form a back wind on the bobbin.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated with a yarn-retriever adapted to traverse the yarn rearwardly of the bobbin to .-form the back wind thereon and thereafter position the yarn strand to be attached toan empty bobbin.

Another object is to provide a yarn-retriever of the type indicated for traversing the yarn rearwardly, positioning the yarn to adapt it to be attached to an empty bobbin and thereafter restrain the yarn to wind a "bunch on the empty bobbinprior to the service winding.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated with electromagnet-operated detents for controlling the relative positions of the yarn-retriever.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated with a bobbin-transferring cradle adapted to be moved into position to don an empty bobbin and thereafter withdrawn to bobbin-receiving position by an electromagnet.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated with an electromagnet-operated detent for retaining the bobbin-transferring means in its bobbin-receiving position.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated with a chute having means therein for temporarily detaining a doffed bobbin adjacent the winding spindle and thereafter releasing it to car.ry the yarn strand into position to beattached to the empty bobbin.

end of the spindle and the head of an empty I bobbin.

- Another object is to provide a yarn trap for guiding the yarn strand trailing from the wound bobbin against a knife to sever it from the bobbin. Another object is to providefa pivoted gate in the chute and electromagnetic means for releastype indicated having both electrical and me.- chanical controls for starting and stopping the winding operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type indicated in which a separate mechanical control is provided for automatically stopping the spindle .upon failure of the electrical control means.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the machine,

by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view of the main casing of a multiple spindle winding machine incorporating the novel features of the present invention and showing a single spindle and its operating mechanism in side elevation; i

Fig. 2 is a :plan view of the winding spindle and its operating mechanism illustrated in Fig.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 3-4 of Fig. 2 showing the clutch-operating means "for disconnecting the spindle from its drive shaft;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational view partsectional on line 44 of Fig. 2 and showimr, the relationship of the parts during a winding operation;

Fig. 5 is a detailed. plan view partly in section showing the mounting for the rearward end of the threaded traverse rod section to adapt it for rotation;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view online 65 of Fig. 5 showing the meshing engagement of the threads in the nut on the thread-guide carriage with the screw-threads on the traverse rod for advancing the thread-guide longitudinally of the bobbin during winding;

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view on line 'II of Fig. 5 showing the strap for clamping the bearing at the rearward end of the traverse rod in adjusted position;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view on line 88 of Fig. 5 showing the coupling for connecting the separate sections of the traverse rod;

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of a. part of the machine casing showing the separateelectromagnet and mechanical operating means for starting and stopping the winding operation;

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view on line |0|0 of Fig. 9 showing the latch for retaining the starting mechanism in operative position and the electromagnet-operated trip for the latch;

Fig. 11 is a detailed view partly in section showverse the yarn rearwardly to form a back wind indicating the manner in which the control switch is operated at the completion of the bobbin and the yarn-retriever actuated to traon the bobbin;

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view on line lB-IG of Fig. 15 showing the construction of the retractable spindle-cup;

Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional view on line I'I-ll of Fig. 15 showing the electromagnetoperated detent for limiting the rearward movement of the yarn-retriever;

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 15 showing the spindle-cup retracted, an empty bobbin in position to be donned and the yarn-retriever moved to its rearmost limit to position the yarn strand between the end of ,the spindle and the head of the bobbin;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18 showing 1 the'empty bobbin clamped between the spindle- 7 cup and the outer stub-spindle and the yarning the mechanical itch-trip mechanism adapted to be operated o y excessive growth in the winding, 01 upon breakage of the yarn strand,

7 or failure of the yarn supply to release the startingmechanism and stop the winding operation; Fig.12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 showing the yarn-controlled drop-wire rocked to a. position between a hunter and a rockable arm of the mechanical latch-trip mechanism;

Fig. 13 is' a detailed view part-sectional on I the yarn-controlled drop-wire positioned between the arm and the hunter;

. Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view on line l4-l4 of Fig. 11 :howing the rod connected to the starting mechanism for setting the yarnretriever retained in position to cause the bunch to be wound at the rearward end of the bobbin;

Fig. 20 is a part-sectional plan view on line 20-20 of Fig. 19 showing the inclined edge of the yarn-retriever which cooperates with the thread-guide to restrict the traverse of the yarn for winding the bunch on the bobbin;

21 is a side elevational view of the magazin and bobbin-transferring cradle showing the latter retained in its bobbin-receiving position by an electromagnet-operated detent;

Fig. 22 is a part-sectional view on line 2222 I of Fig. 21 showing the linkage for operating the bobbin-transferring cradle and the resiliently-operated fingers on the cradle for gripping the empty bobbin;

Fig. 23 is a transverse sectional view on line 23-23 of Fig. 21 showing the bobbin-transferring cradle in bobbin-receiving position with respect to the magazine;

Fig. 24 is a sectional view on line 2-l24 of Fig. 21 showing the operating pin-and-slot connections between the cradle and the bobbin-restraining gates of the magazine and illustrating the lower gate raised and the upper gate lowered when the cradle is in bobbin-receiving position;

Fig. 25 is a view similar to Fig. 23 showing the cradle moved to carry an empty bobbin into position to be donned; Fig. 26 is a view similar to Fig. 24 showing the cradle in donning position, the lower gate engaging the lowermost bobbin in the magazine and the upper gate in raised position to release the bobbins;

Fig. 27 is a detailed view of the cradle showing the manner in which the gripper fingers of the cradle are rocked on their pivot to release the gcbbin during the rearward movement of the cra- Fig. 28 isa detailed view part-sectional on line 28-28 01' Fig. 21 showing the electromagnet-operated detent for normally retaining the cradle in its bobbin-receiving position;

Fig. '29 is a detailed. view showing the means for temporarily retaining a dofied bobbin in the chute below the winding spindle and illustrating chute and indicating the manner in which the gate is released by its electromagnet-operating means;

Fig. 32 is an enlarged detailed sectional view on line 32-32 of Fig. 31'showing the yarn-trap in the chute for receiving the yarn. strand and positioning it to be engaged by the cutter blade;

Fig. 33 is a diagrammatic view showing the method of cooperation of the yam-receiver and yarn-trap to position the yarn strand in alinement with the spindle-cup to adapt it to be clamped by the empty bobbin;

Fig. 34 is a plan view of the controller or mul-' of Fig. 34 showing the series of switches operated by the cams of the controller;

Fig. 38 is a sectional view on line 38-38 of Fig. 3'7 showing the manner of mounting the switches of the controller; 4

Fig. 39 is a sectional view on line 33-39 of Fig. 35 showing the means for driving the threaded traverse rod from the controller-drive shaft;

Fig. 40 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuit for the various electromagnets and the controller-operated switches for each branch of the circuit; and a I 'Fig. 41 is adiagrammatic view of the operating cams of the controller illustrated in progressively larger proportion from one end to the other to show the relative positions of the different lobes I for operating the various switches to energize the electromagnets in timed sequence.

General organization The present invention relates in general to an automatic winding machine for simultaneously winding a plurality of bobbins. In the embodiment of the invention described and illustrated herein only a single spindle is shown with an individual control therefor. It will be understood, however, that the parts may be so arranged that each control will govern a plurality of spindles or, if desired, one control may govern all the spindles of the machine. The yarn is traversed back and bobbin.

forth on the rotating bobbin by means of a thread-guide mounted on a reciprocating threaded traverse fod and the guide is progressively ad vanced along the traverse rod during the winding to lay the yarn in overlapping layers to produce a filling-wound bobbin or shuttle cop. The rotation of the spindle and reciprocation of the thread-guide are controlled by clutches for con,- necting the spindle and guide to their respective drive shafts and the clutches are simultaneously operated to start or stop the winding operation.

Upon completion of the winding of a bobb n the machine operates automatically to traverse the yarn rearwardly to form a back wind on the bobbin and thereafter to dofi the wound carrier,

v bobbin and again when the winding of a newdon an empty carrier and return the threadguide to first position to adapt it to start a new bobbin. The yarn strand is traversed rearwardly to form the'back wind by a yarn-retriever which is adapted to perform the several additional functions of positioning the strand to adapt it to be attached to an empty bobbin, and after a new winding has been started, to restrict the traverse of the yarn to cause a bunch to be wound at the base end of the empty bobbin. After the yarnretriever has been moved rearwardly to form the back wind the spindle and thread-guide are disconnected from their drive shafts to arrest the winding operation.

Immediately after the winding operation is stopped the spindle-cup is retracted to doff the wound bobbin which falls by gravity into a chute positioned therebelow and the bobbin is temporarily detained in the chute by a pivoted gate. The yarn-retriever moves rearwardly simultaneously with the retraction of the spindle-cup and the pivoted gate releases the wound bobbin to cause it'to drop to tension its trailing strand between the yarn-retriever and a yam-trap in the chute whereby to aline the strand with the end of the spindle. After the wound bobbin has been doffed the threaded traverse rod is rotated to cause the thread-guide to move rearwardly to its initial position to adapt it to start a new bobbin. A cradle transfers an empty carrier from the magazine into position to be donned on the spindle and the spindle-cup is then released to cause it to engage the head or butt of the empty bobbin and clamp the yarn strand thereagainst.

Following the donning of an empty bobbin the winding spindle and thread-guide traversing means are clutched to their respective driving shafts to start winding a fresh bobbin and the rotation of the latter causes the yarn strand to be severed between the dofied bobbin and the spindle while the yarn-retriever moves outward- 1y to a position where it restricts the traverse of the yarn to cause a bunch to be wound. Following the winding of the bunch the cradle and yarn-retriever are moved to their initial positions and the thread-guide commences the service winding. f I

The various parts of the machine for doffing a wound bobbin, donning an empty bobbin and actuating the parts to start a new winding operation are either operated or their operation initiated by electromagnets and the series of electromagnets are energized in timed sequence by a central controller. The operation of the controller is initiated by an electromagnet-actuated clutch for connecting it to its drive shaft and the energization of the electromagnet is controlled by the longitudinal growth of the winding After the controller is clutched to its drive shaft it first operates to energize an auxiliary branch circuit including the elec romagnet for actuating the controller-clutch whereby to maintain the clutch engaged while the controller energizes the 'electromagnets for dofiing a wound bobbin and donning an empty bobbin in timed sequence.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein an electromagnet-operated tension-device is provided which is governed by the controller to release the tension when the yarn-retriever is operated to form the back wind ona completed bobbin is commenced. The invention also includesmechanical control means which are automatically operable upon failure of the electromagnet control means or upon'breakage or exhaustion of the yarn supply to stop the winding operation without operating the doiilng and donning means.

Winding spindle and drive therefor Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the winding units of the machine are carried by a horizontal bed 2 usually supported from the floor by legs or standards, not herein shown. Although a single winding unit only is shown in the drawings it will be understood that a series of such units may be arranged at intervals along the machine. Mounted upon the bed 2 is a trough-like casing 3 in which the various driving elements 'of the winding units areenclosed. Journaled in hearings in the opposite end walls of the casing 3 are a spindle-drive shaft 4 and a traverse-drive shaft 5 and joumaled in brackets 9 bolted to the back wall of the casing 3 is a controller-drive shaft 6, these three horizontal drive shafts extending longitudinally of the machine to operate the winding and control mechanisms of spindle-cup 25 in spaced relation to its outer en-.

the various units. The spindle-drive shaft 4 and the spindle-drive shaft and traverse-drive shaft 5 are connected by suitable gearing, not herein shown. Thus, the three drive shafts 4, 5 and 5 are continuously rotated when the driving motor or other prime mover is operative.

A winding spindle I0 is joumaled in a suitable bearing in the front wall of the casing 3 and extends transversely of the spindle-drive shaft 4 in the casing. The spindle I0 is driven from the drive shaft 4 by intermeshing helical gears II and I2 and a clutch |3 splined to the spindle and engageable with the gear l2. The clutch l3 may be of any suitable construction and as herein illustrated is of a type adapted to be held in oneend to the upper end of the operating lever l5 and at its opposite end to an arm 20 projecting from a rock-shaft 2|. A spring 22 has one end connected tothe end of the strap l3 which is attached to the clutch-operating lever I5 and the opposite end of the spring is anchored to the casing 3, see Fig. 2, to cause it to rock the operating lever into engagement with the beveled flange H of the clutch |3 to release it from driving enagement with thehelical gear |2.

A spindlecup 25 is keyed to the end of the spindle I0 projecting outwardly from the casing 3. As illustrated in detail in Fig, 16, the spindlelargement or head to provide a peripheral recess or groove 32 into which a roller 33 at the end of an operating arm 34 projects.

The outer end of the bobbin b is supported in the cupped end 38 of a stub-spindle 39, see Fig. 18, rotatably mounted in a bearing in axially spaced relation to the spindle-cup 25 on the spindle ID. The bearing 40 for the stub-spindle 35 is carried by a part of a frame 4| attached to a bracket 42 by means of screws 43, the bracket projecting forwardly from the front of the casing 3, see Figs. 1, 2, 4, 9 and 21. By means of this arrangement the bobbin b is adapted to be clamped between the spindle-cup 25 on the spindle l0 and the cup-shaped end 38 of the stub-spindle 33 to be rotated from the spindle-drive shaft 4 through the helical gears II and I2 and clutch l3.

Travers-ing mechanism and its operating means The winding unit comprises means for traversing the yarn on the bobbin b and progressively advancing the range of traverse longitudinally of the bobbin during the winding operation to cause the yarn to be wound in overlapping layers ,to produce a shuttle cop with a filling wind. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the traversing means consists in a thread-guide 45, a two-part traverse rod 45, 64 on which the threadguide is mounted and a cam 41 for longitudinally reciprocating the traverse rod. The cam 41 is pinned to a horizontal shaft 48 extending transversely of the traverse-drive shaft 5 and journaled in suitable bearings in the front and back walls of the casing 3. The shaft 48 is driven from the drive shaft 5 by intermeshing helical gears 49 and 50 and a clutch 5| having a beveled flange 52, these elements of the drive being similar to the gears III and I2 and clutch l3, previously described, for driving the spindle Ill. The clutch 5| is splined to the hub of the cam 41 and adapt-- ed to be held in engagement with the gear 50, loose on the shaft '48, by yieldable means, not hereinshown. An operating lever 53 is rockably mounted at its lower end on a bracket 54 for movement in a plane at right-angles to the axis of the shaft 48 to cause it to engage the flange 52 of the clutch 5| to disconnect the drive. A strap 51 has one end connected to the upper end of 'the operating lever 53 and its opposite end connected to an arm 53 on the rockshaft 2|. A spring 59 is also provided having one end connected to the end of the strap 51 attached to the operating lever 53 and its opposite end anchoring to the casing 3.

, the traverse-drive shaft 5 to the shaft "is thus cup isv in the form of a sleeve slidably mounted on the spindle l0 and having a head at its outer end with a concavity or recessyZG for receiving the butt end of .a bobbin b. Preferably, an annular resilient lining 21 having a conical face is provided in the recess 25 for yielding engagement with the bobbin b. A central guide-stem 28 having its flanged head securedfast in the bore of ,the spindle-cup 25 projects rearwardly axially thereof and is adapted for sliding movement in an axial bore" in the end of the spindle ID. 'A helical spring 33 mounted in the bore 23 of the spindle l0 normally acts against the identical in construction with the driving connection from the spindle-drive shaft 4 to the spindle l0 and the clutches l3 and 5| are adapted to be simultaneously operated to start the winding operation by rocking movement of the rockshaft 2| to disengage the operating levers I5 and 53 from the flanges l4 and 52 on the clutches. To arrest the winding-operation the levers J5 and 53 are rocked by the springs 22 and 59 to engage the levers with the clutches to withdraw them from the gears.

The cam 41 is of usual construction having a helical groove 60 in its periphery. An osclllatable The driving connection from lever 6I, see Figs. 1 and 2, pivotally mounted on an axis below the shaft 48 has a pin 62 at its upper end carrying a roller 62 projecting rearwardly into the groove 60 of the cam. The upper and cam 41 is translated into reciprocation of the traverse rod by the oscillating lever 6|.

As before indicated, the traverse rod has two sections comprising the portion connected to the link 56 which'will hereinafter be referred to by Y the reference character 46, and a relatively rotatable threaded section 64. The traverse rod section 46 is slidably mounted in a guideway 65 formed in a bearing member 66 extending parallel to the spindle I0 and supported in part onthe spindle I0 and in part by the front wall of the casing 3, see Fig. 2. Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the rearward end of the threaded outboard section 64 of the traverse rod is connected to the forward end of the main section 46 by a couplin 61 which permits articulation between the two sections. The forward end of the section 64 is mounted for rotation and reciprocation in a hearing 68 supported by an outboard bracket I6 fastened to the frame 4I, previously described. The bearing 68 is pivotally mounted in an opening in the bracket'l6 by means of a pin 69 at the top of the bracket, see Fig. 4, to permit the rod section 64 to swivel as it is swung toward or away from the winding spindle.

Referring to the enlarged view, Fig. 5, the.

coupling 61 comprises a-member 10 having a tapered bore II into which the tapered end of.

the traverse rod section 46 is driven with a force fit to connect the two parts. The member I0 is of bifurcated construction, see Fig. 8, to provide a horizontal slot I2 in which a cooperating member 13 of the coupling is adapted to slide. A stud I4 projecting through the member 10 and a vertical slot I5 in the member I3 limits the slidin movement of the latter in a path toward and away from the winding spindle I0 as indicated by dashlines in Fig. 5. The member 13 is providedv with a laterally-projecting threaded stud I8 and the rearward end of the threaded traverse rod sec tion 64 is connected thereto by a thimble I9 which forms a bearing for the traverse rod section and has internal threads to adapt it to be screwed onto the threaded stud. The stud I8 is formed with an axially-projecting stemB'I received in a bore in the end of the traverse rod section 64 to maintain the parts in alinement. Preferably, the threaded traverse rod section 64 has 'an annular shouldered projection 80 adapted to rotate in a bore BI at the end of the thimble '19, a collar 02 being secured fast on the end of the rod section between the projection and the end of the stud -|8. Forwardly of the annular bearing shoulder 80 the traverse rod section 64 has aplain portion 86 without threads and of the same diameter as the root diameter of its threaded portion.

The inner end of the threaded traverse rod seeby screwing the thimble-like bearing19 onto the threaded stud I8 until the collar 82 abuts the end tion 64 is connected to the coupling member 13 Ascrew extends through a hole in one end of the strap 83 and is threaded into a hole in the opposite end thereof to bind the strap around the thimble 19. The traverse rod section 64 is thus connected to the main section 46 for rotatory movement relative thereto and to adapt it to swing inwardly toward the winding spindle from the position shown in full lines to that indicated by dash lines in Fig. 5.

A former-bar 80 is mounted on the upper face of the coupling member 10 by means of screws 89 which extend through slots 90 in the former-bar to adapt it for angular adjustment on the coupling member. Attached to the under side of the coupling member I0 by means of screws 92 is a depending guiding keel 93 which projects through v a slot 94 in a bracket 11 projecting outwardly from the casing 3, see Fig, 8, to restrain the coupling 61 from rotation. The coupling member I3 and the inner end of the traverse rod section 64 are normally urged outwardly to the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 5 by means of a spring 95 anchored at one end to a lug on the clamping strap 83 and connected at its other end to a lug on the guide member 93, the outward movement of the coupling member I3 and the inner end of the traverse rod section 64 being limited by the engagement of the end of the slot I5 with the .stud 14.

The thread-guide 45 is mounted on the threaded traverse rod section 64 and comprises a platelike arm 99 extending laterally to overlie the bobbin b with a thread-eye I00 of vitreous material carried at its end, see Fig. 5. The threadguide 45 is of bifurcated form with depending flanges 91 and 90 having bearing apertures therein in which a rotatable nut MI is journaled, see Fig. 6. The nut IOI has a smooth bore throughout the greater portion of its length closely fitting the periphery of the threads of the traverse rod section 64 and a shorter interiorly-threaded portion I02 at its left-hand end as viewed in Figs.

5 and 6 in engagement with the threads on the less than the length of the plain portion 86 at the rearward end of the traverse rod section 64 whereby to permit disengagement of the nut from the threads of the traverse rod when the thread-guide 45 is moved to its rearmost position thereon. The nut IOI has a hub I03 adjacent the side of the thread-guide 45 on which a contact-wheel I04 is fixedly mounted. Rotation of the nut on the threaded traverse rod section 64 by the engagement of the contact wheel with the periphery of the bobbin, or rotation of the traverse rod section with respect to the nut will effect longitudinal movement of the thread-guide along the traverse rod in one direction or the other. A friction element I05 in the form of a erally into engagement with the side of the contact wheel, see Fig. 5. Projecting laterally from the depending flange 91 of the thread-guide 45 is a finger I 08 adapted to ride along the inclined edge of the former-bar 88 to force the inner end of the traverse rod section 84 toward the winding spindle I when the thread-guide is returned to position to start the winding of a bobbin. A leafspring I09 is mounted on the side of the finger I08 to adapt it to engage with the end of the thimble 19 as illustrated in dash-lines in Fig. to re-engage the threaded portion I02 of the thread-guide nut IOI with the threads of the traverse rod section 84 after it has been carried back onto the plain portion of the rod section. Depending from the flange 98 of the thread-. guide 45 is a tail-piece I I0, see Fig. 4, which projects through the clot 94 in the bracket 11 to restrain the thread-guide from turning on the traverse rod.

The yarn may be supplied to the bobbin being wound from a source of supply H3, see Fig. 1, with the strand 3! leading upwardly therefrom through a tension-device H4, thence through a resiliently suspended guide II5, and then downwardly through the eye of a drop wire H8 and the eye I00 of the thread-guide 45. The tensiondevlce II4 as herein illustrated is generally similar to that shown and described in detail in the United States Letters Patent of Ernest R. Swanson, No. 2,236,459, dated March 25, 1941. This type of tension-device comprises opposed tension-members normally pressed into engagement with the yarn strand and adapted to be actuated by an electromagnet II1 to open the tensionmembers when energized under certain conditions as more fully explained hereinafter.

Thse traversing mechanism of the machine operates inthe usual manner to reciprocate the threaded-guide 45 with a limited stroke to cause the yarn y to be wound in crossing coils on the bobbin b. At the beginning of the winding operation the finger I08 on the thread-guide 45 bears on the inclined edge. of the former-bar 88 to maintain the inner end of the traverse rod section 84 in the position indicated in dash-lines in Fig. 5 against the action of the spring 95. The contact wheel I04 is rotated by its engagement with the periphery of the bobbin b to turn the nut I M to advance the thread-guide 45 longitudinally of the threaded traverse rod section 84. As th thread-guide 45 advances along the threaded traverse rod section 84 the rearward end of the bobbin B is built up with a taper corresponding to the incline of the edge of the former-bar 88 until the inner end of the traverse rod section 84 has been moved outwardly by the spring 95 to the position illustrated by full lines in Fig. 5, as effected by the sliding advance of the finger I08 along the edge of the former-bar. The winding operation continues in the usual manner to deposit the yarn in advancing layers as the thread-guide 45 is fed progressively along the threaded traverse rod section 84 to complete the bobbin B.

Thread-guide return means After a fully wound bobbin B has been dotted the thread-guide 45 is automatically returned to initial winding position by rotating the threaded traverse rod section 84 by motion derived from is held against reciprocatory movement with the rod section 84 by the engagement of the end of its hub with a plate I2I attached to the bracket 18 and at its opposite end-by its engagement with the end of the bearing 88. A set-screw I22 in the sprocket I20 extends into a longitudinal spline or slot I23 in the traverse rod section 84 whereby the latter may reciprocate with respect to the sprocket but is connected rotatively therewith. The sprocket-I20 is driven from a sprocket I24 at the end of a horizontal shaft I25 by means of a chain I28. The shaft I25 extends rearwardly in parallel relation to the traverse rod section 84 and is journaled in suitable spaced bearings I21 and I28 carried by the bracket 42. A bevel gear I29 at the rearward end of the shaft I25 meshes with a bevel gear I30, see Figs. 4 and 9, at the end of a horizontal shaft I3I extending longitudinally of the machine at the front of the casing 3. The shaft I3I is journaled in suitable hearings in brackets I32 and I33 projecting from the front of the casing 3. At the opposite end of the shaft I3I from the end carrying the gear I30 is a bevel gear I34, see Fig. 9, which meshes with a. bevel gear. I35 on a horizontal shaft I38 extending transversely through the casing 3, see Fig. 39. The opposite ends of the shaft I38 are journaled in antifriction bearings I31 and I38 in the casing 3 and the shaft is enclosed in a tubular housing I39 extending across the casing.

' Mounted on the rearwardly projecting end of the shaft I38'at the rear of the casing 3 is a helical gear I44 which meshes with a helical gear I45 rotatable on the controller drive shaft 8, see Fig. 39.

Referring to Figs. 34 and 35, the controller drive shaft 8 is journaled in bearings I48 projecting from the brackets 9 bolted to the rearward wall of the casing 3. The helical gear I 45 is rotatably mounted on a sleeve I49 journaled in a bearing I41 supported by a bracket I48 bolted to the casing 3. The gear I45 abuts the end of the bearing I41 and has laterally projecting pins I50 at its opposite side which project into slots I5I formed in the face of a male clutch element I52. The clutch element I52 is journaled on the sleeve I49 to adapt it to be slid longitudinally of the shaft 8 to engage it with or disengage it from a female clutch element I53 rotatably connected to the-shaft by means of a set-screw I54. The male clutch element I52 has an annular groove I55 in which a roller I58 on a shifting lever I51 engages. The shifting lever I51 is pivoted on a stud I58 projecting rearwardly from the bracket I48 above the controller drive shaft 8. The male clutch element I52 is normally held disengaged from the female clutch element I53 by means of a spring I59 connected at one endto the lower end of the shifting lever I51 and anchored at its opposite end to a lug I80 on the bracket I48.

The male clutch element I52 is shifted into operenergized the shifting lever I51 is moved against the controller drive shaft 8. Referring to Figs.

1, 4 and 15 of the drawings, a sprocket I20 is splined to the outer-end of the traverse rod secthe tension of the spring I59 to clutch the gear I45 to the controller drive shaft 8. The shaft 8 operates through the gearing previously described to rotate the traverse rod section 84 to return the thread-guide to initial winding position. Due to the engagement of the friction element I05 on the thread-guide 45 with the side of the contact 'yieldingly urge the -meshing engagement with the threads on the 'folded around to engage across bearings :84

I02 of the nut IOI will be carr'iedorito the un-.

threaded portion 86 of the traverse rod section 64 to prevent further rearward movement of the guide, the leaf-spring I09 being flexed at this juncture as it engages with the end of the thimble 19. The spring I09 will thus act to thread-guide nut IOI into traverse rod section 64 at the beginning of another winding operation. Upon deenergization of the solenoid I6I the spring I59 acting through the shifting lever I51 disengages the male clutch element I52 from the female clutch element I53 to arrest rotation of the gear I45. The energization and deenergization of the solenoid I6I effects the return of the thread-guide to initial winding-position and is controlled in a manner to be explained hereinafter.

Yarn-retriever After a bobbin B has been completed and before rotation of the spindle I is arrested a yamretri'ever I operates to perform the several functions of traversing the yarn strand 3 rearwardly on the bobbin to form a back wind W, position the strand to adapt it to be attached to an empty bobbin b being donned and restrict the traverse of the yarn at the beginning of a new winding operation to form a bunch at the rearward end of the bobbin b. Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 20, the yarn-retriever I10 is illustrated as in the form of a horizontal blade having a finger I" projecting parallel to the'axis of the winding spindle I0, an inclined edge I12 extending forwardly from the finger and a flange I13 folded upwardly from the side of the blade to provide a crotch I14. The upwardly folded flange I13 extends to the left from the crotch I14 to a position adjacent the end of the finger HI and at its opposite end is bent rearwardly in an arc. By this form of construction the fing'er, flange and inclined edge I12 serve as a means to direct the yarn strand y leading from the thread-guide 45 into the crotch I14.

A flange I15, see Figs. 4 and 20, extends upwardly from the edge of the yarn-retriever blade opposite the flange I13 with its lateral portions the edge of a flange I16 depending from a supporting slide I11.

'The flange I15 is attached to the flange I16 by means of a screw I18 to thereby support the yarn-retriever I10 from the slide I11. The screw I18 extends through a slot I19 in the yarn-retriever flange I15 to permit vertical adjustment of the yam-retriever with respect to the slide, seeFig.15.

The slide I11 extends rearwardly from the depending flange I16, as viewed in Fig. 4, and has a bifurcated bracket I80 welded or otherwise attached to its under side. Laterally spaced ears I8I and I82 project upwardly from the bracket I80 and are formed with apertures for receiving a stationary rod I83 to slidably support the slide thereon. The supporting rod I83 is mounted as to adapt it to travel between the bobbin the yarn strand 11. v I

The slide I11 has angularly related arms I90 and I9l which project upwardly at the rear of the supporting rod I83 with a plate portion I92 at their upper ends folded rearwardly with respect thereto, see Figs. 2 and4. The rearwardly folded portion of the plate I92 is formed with a slot I93 through which the end of an operating lever I94 extends. The erating lever I94 has a longitudinally extending slot I95 which embraces a stud I96 projecting rearwardly from the slide I11.. The'upper end of the lever I94 is pivotally mounted on a stud I91 carried at the outer end of a bracket I98 projecting outwardly from a stanchion I99 attached to the machine casing 3 by bolts 200.

The lever I94 is thus adapted to be rocked on its I11 to be moved from the pivot to cause the slide Fig.4 to that illustrated position illustrated in in Fig. 15, the engagement of the lever through the slot I93 in the slide acting to restrain the latter against rocking movement on the supporting rod I83.

The lever I94 is adapted to be actuated by a link 204 pivotally connected thereto by means of a stud 205 with the opposite endof the link connected to onearm'206 of a bell-crank lever 201 by a pivot-stud 208, see Fig. 4. The bell-crank A lever 201 is pivotally mounted on a stud 209 projecting from a boss 2I0 on the frame stanchion I99. The opposite laterally offset arm 2I I of the a solenoid 2I9 by a link 220, see Figs. 4 and 15.

above the spindle I0 in parallel relation to its axis, being held at its opposite ends in suitable and I in the framework of the machine. The slide I11 is thus mounted for slid- The solenoid 2I9 is .suitably mounted on the bracket 42, previously described, and when energized the movement of the plunger 2I8 is transmitted through thevarious linkages and bellcrank levers described above to rock the lever I94 and thereby move the slide I11 and yarn-retriever I10 from the position illustrated in Fig.4 to that illustrated in Fig. 18. The link 220 is adjustable-relatively to the solenoid plunger 2I8 by means of an eye-bolt 22I and lock--nut 222. see Fig. 15 which, together with the adjustable pivot-stud 2I3 for connecting the link 212 and arm 2 of the bell-crank lever 201, rov de for adjusting the initial position of the slide I11 and regulating the extent of its rearward movement along the supporting rod I33.

As the yarn-retriever I10 movies rearwardly with the slide I" from the position illustrated in Fig. 4 to that illustrated in Fig. 15 the yarn strand y is first engaged between the threadguide 45 and the wound bobbin B and is guided by the finger HI and flange I13 into the crotch 114 to be thereafter traversed rearwardly on the bobbin as the latter continues to rotate, whereby to form the back wind W indicatedin Fig. 15.

The rearward movement of the yarn-retriever I10, is interrupted, however, by the interlocking engagement of an electromagnetically operated detent 226, see Figs, 15 and 17, with the plunger 2I8 ofthe solenoid 2I9, whereby the halting of the retriever will cause several extra coils to be wound on the, base end of the bobbin B. The detent 226 is constituted by two laterally spaced 9 7. the yarn-retriever 10 is so positioned vertically and the-thread-guide 45 to form a loop or bight in lower end of the op 

